Responsible Business Report 2023
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As one of the world’s leading international law firms, we engage with the most important challenges and opportunities facing our clients.
As a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, we also work with our people, our clients and wider society to respond to the needs that exist in the communities in which we do business, and lead by example to make a positive impact on the most material issues facing us and our stakeholders.
Rebecca Maslen-Stannage (Bec) is the first woman Chair and Senior Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills. Formerly a disputes lawyer,
Bec is now recognised as one of Australia’s top lawyers in mergers and acquisitions. Here, she reflects on the firm’s progress as a responsible business and the opportunities yet to come.
Rebecca Maslen-Stannage
Chair and Senior Partner
From Justin D'Agostino and Rebecca Maslen-Stannage
Prioritising the issues that matter most to us and our stakeholders for positive and lasting impact
Helping our people to grow personally and professionally
Forming trusted partnerships with our clients
Enabling more equitable outcomes for people and communities at risk of marginalisation, underrepresentation or disadvantage
Tackling climate change to save the planet
UN Sustainable Development Goals index
We report on our impact on society and the environment, and also the impact that society and the environment have on our firm.
Our assessment pinpointed 11 material issues. Some directly impact our business performance, reputation and long-term success. Others are impact that we create on society and the environment by doing business. Of these 11, we deemed 6 issues to be top priorities:
What it means to work at Herbert Smith Freehills and how shared values and ambition will take us and our people in new and exciting directions.
As a leading international law firm, we face stiff competition to attract a diverse range of talented people — and keep them. What we stand for; what we believe in and how we operate really matter.
We form trusted partnerships with our clients, help them to manage risks and opportunities, to unlock business value, enhance resilience and contribute to a more sustainable world.
Shaping impactful ESG strategy
Towards a more sustainable energy future
The new brief
How we help charities to maximise their social impact and deliver meaningful change
Collaborating with banking clients for greater social impact
Across the world, the equity gap is growing wider. For many people it is getting harder to meet basic needs, such as access to safe housing, food, education and employment.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian impact of climate change; tectonic shifts in the geopolitical landscape; mass movement of people; modern slavery and the cost-of-living crisis touch marginalised and excluded communities disproportionately. Our pro bono practice prioritises listening to and helping people and organisations living and working at the front line of these challenges. We believe the most impactful contribution we can make is to use our legal skills to create more equitable outcomes.
As the climate crisis intensifies, we witness how the planet’s rising temperatures contribute to extreme weather events that affect millions of people globally. These events underscore the urgent worldwide need for a just transition — one that supports a more sustainable economy and that is fair to everyone — aligned to the 1.5°C pathway to halve all emissions by 2030.
The contents of this publication are for reference purposes only and may not be current as at the date of accessing this publication. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking any action based on this publication.
© Herbert Smith Freehills 2024
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